Overview
The 2017 Volvo S60 is a compact luxury sedan that blends Scandinavian styling, strong safety credentials, and a comfortable, upscale ride. It’s a great fit for drivers who want a premium daily commuter with confident highway manners, available all-wheel drive, and a more understated look than many German rivals. This model year sits in the second-generation S60 lineup (introduced for 2011) and benefits from years of refinement, including Volvo’s later Drive-E powertrains in many trims. In the market, it competes with the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, prioritizing safety and comfort over sporty edge.
Key Features
- Engine lineup with variety: common 2.0L turbocharged Drive-E four-cylinder options (often branded T5), plus available 2.0L turbo-and-supercharged four-cylinder (T6) on certain trims for stronger acceleration.
- Available all-wheel drive on select configurations, improving traction in wet or snowy climates while keeping the sedan’s composed road feel.
- Volvo safety focus: advanced safety engineering plus available driver-assistance features such as forward collision warning with auto braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-related aids, and adaptive cruise control depending on trim/packages.
- Comfortable, supportive seats and a quiet cabin, with materials and ergonomics that make it well-suited for long commutes and road trips.
- Practical luxury sedan sizing: easy to maneuver and park, with a trunk that works well for daily errands and airport runs.
Common Issues & Reliability
Shoppers searching “2017 Volvo S60 reliability” will find the S60 can be a solid long-term sedan when maintained correctly, but it has a few patterns worth knowing. The most common 2017 Volvo S60 problems tend to be more about electronics and wear items than catastrophic engine failures, though repair costs can be higher than non-luxury cars.
1) Oil consumption and leaks (varies by engine and maintenance history): Some owners report higher-than-expected oil use or seepage as mileage climbs, often showing up around 70,000–120,000 miles. Checking oil level regularly and addressing leaks early helps prevent bigger issues.
2) Cooling system and thermostat-related issues: A stuck thermostat, coolant leaks, or related sensor faults can trigger warning lights or overheating risk, sometimes appearing in the 60,000–100,000-mile range. Catching small leaks early can prevent more expensive repairs.
3) Electronic glitches (infotainment, sensors, warning messages): Intermittent warning lights, parking sensor issues, or infotainment quirks are common “2017 Volvo S60 common issues” complaints. These may be as simple as a battery/charging concern, a software update, or a failing sensor, but diagnosis can take time.
4) Suspension wear and clunks: As mileage increases (often 80,000+ miles), owners may notice front-end noises or looseness from worn control arm bushings, end links, or struts. It’s not unusual for a luxury sedan, but budgeting for suspension refresh work is smart.